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RiverfrontDesignConcept200 PDF
RiverfrontDesignConcept200 PDF
DESIGN CONCEPT
Submitted by:
with
July 2000
2501-007-01-01
uma
CITY OF WHITEHORSE
RIVERFRONT DESIGN CONCEPT
Table of Contents
Page No.
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 THE DESIGN CHARACTER ............................................................................................................................................. 3
3 CONCEPT DESIGN ELEMENTS...................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 COMMON CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 INCORPORATION OF PUBLIC ART .................................................................................................................................. 9
4 THE DESIGN CONCEPT ................................................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 SHIPYARDS PARK....................................................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 HOTEL/COMMUNITY PRECINCT ................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 HERITAGE/CULTURAL PRECINCT ................................................................................................................................ 11
4.4 VISITOR RECEPTION CENTRE AREA ............................................................................................................................ 13
4.5 ROTARY PEACE PARK ................................................................................................................................................ 13
5 CONCEPT AND SERVICING.......................................................................................................................................... 15
5.1 SUMMARY OF SERVICING IMPACTS AND CONCEPT FACILITIES ...................................................................................... 15
5.2 CONCEPTUAL COSTING AND SERVICING CHANGES NEEDED ........................................................................................ 17
5.3 SERVICING CITY OWNED LAND ................................................................................................................................... 18
6 IMPLEMENTATION OF RIVERFRONT WALKWAY ....................................................................................................... 20
LIST OF APPENDICES
Land claims by First Nations are currently in place and under discussion for portions of the lands covered by this project.
The design concept was developed with an awareness of these land claims, and every effort was made to avoid
recommendations that could create an impediment to land claims negotiations. Discussions with First Nations indicate that
recognition of the First Nation’s historic involvement and ties to the waterfront will be welcomed. This may include direct
participation in riverfront development initiatives, for example a Kwanlin Dun cultural centre.
Adjacent and existing land use, current planning, and the desire to maximize the values inherent in the downtown portion of
the Yukon riverfront were principal determinants guiding the development of the design concept.
Intermediate nodes include an extension at the pedestrian area of the Visitor Reception Centre; a historically influenced
plaza area at the WP&YR Depot near the proposed expansion of the MacBride museum; and a park area near the proposed
hotel site.
An area comprised of city owned land and known as the Motorways site is intended to be contemporary in character, and
should serve tourists, conference activity, as well as provide facilities and services for residents of Whitehorse. This
proposed hotel/community precinct also serves to create a new, direct link between Second Avenue and the riverfront.
Along Second Avenue, commercial development is proposed, extending north to the intersection of Ogilvie Street and
Second Avenue. Building form and character are examined in a Design Guidelines (Charles McLaren Architect, and UMA)
report. Some residential development, likely in duplex, townhouse, or similar attached units, is proposed between the
commercial area and the river.
Adjacent to Kishwoot Island, ‘Shipyards Park’ occupies the majority of the land traditionally referred to as the Taga Ku site.
This park is intended as a complement to Rotary Park, and thus is planned to accommodate functions and activities which
differ from those offered by Rotary Park, including retention of several historical buildings.
Gateway entry points to the walkway are identified as opportunities to be incorporated at the time detailed design is
undertaken.
Rotary Park
Overall Design Character: family area with active family recreation uses
• relocation of band shell
structure
• park to be family oriented, with
activities designed to a smaller
scale
• improved boat launch, intended
mainly for car top boats,
canoes, kayaks, etc. and an
allowance for boat trailers
• development of a service
building including washrooms,
and warm up facilities during
winter season
• southern gateway to the
downtown riverfront walkway
• provision for sculpture provided
near riverfront trail
• design concept is illustrated by
Figure 2, later in this report
Heritage/Cultural Precinct
Overall Design Character: historic preservation, retention of historic elements, interpretive/display of First Nation history, and
retain a heritage ambiance to all buildings and structures
• expansion of MacBride museum
• creation of a First Nation cultural centre and exhibition space, ideally sited to be in proximity to museum expansion
• inclusion of both permanent and seasonal commercial activity
• adaptation of depot building and old fire hall to accommodate food and retail services with only limited office space
• inclusion of a wharf structure, to include accommodation of both pleasure and commercial vessels
• provision for relocation of historical buildings where appropriate
• incorporation of a tower viewing structure
• narrowing of 1st Avenue to enhance pedestrian activity, but road to remain open to vehicular traffic
• to be the downtown gateway to the walkway
• provision for a sculpture feature at plaza to be developed at foot of Elliott Street
Shipyards Park
Overall Design Character: generally natural but with provision to create special event festival space, with strong links to river
through boat access, and nature interpretation, including Kishwoot Island
• provision for an amphitheatre
• unstructured large open space for festival use
• inclusion of a Trans Canada Trail pavilion as northern gateway to walkway
• new boat launch for water access, including parking space for boat trailers and RV’s
• possible retention of historic buildings from Sleepy Hollows and Shipyards area, as Shipyards historical area
• new service building with maintenance and warm up facilities
• toboggan hill
• significant parking to include plaza with sculpture feature
There are many and diverse opportunities to integrate public art into the planning and design of the Whitehorse riverfront.
Art may also be used to reinforce a design theme or elements, to link people to the riverfront and the city. Whitehorse has a
mix of natural and cultural heritage, a unique geographical location, and a strong community identity which offers a rich
palette to be drawn upon by the public artist. Public art, including locally commissioned sculpture works, will bring life and
activity to the riverfront. Several parts of the riverfront are identified as being particularly appropriate for inclusion of public
art. However, art may be incorporated in many public and private spaces and will add vitality and ambiance to the riverfront.
An overall strategy for the inclusion of public art is highly desirable. Preliminary locations for this artwork are indicated on the
Design Concept.
Near the boat launch, limited parking is available for boat trailers. As part of the parking area provision is also made for
some RV parking spaces.
The heritage/cultural precinct area is intended to maintain a historic design theme, to reflect rail and river transportation
history, as well as the extensive First Nation heritage of the area.
A summary table of servicing impacts and infrastructure changes are included in the following sections. In general, servicing
and roadway retrofit and upgrade work is required in the Riverfront Walkway, Heritage/Cultural Precinct and Visitor
Reception areas. New services and roads are required for the Hotel/Community Precinct and Shipyards park areas.
There is an overall reduction of existing parking along First Avenue. Currently there are approximately 200 parking spaces.
It is estimated that the design concept reduces this parking to about 120 to 140 spaces, subject to detailed design.
Visitor Reception • First Avenue is closed to improve pedestrian linkage between the VRC and the Riverfront Trail
Centre (VRC) • Accommodate RV traffic turns
• Pedestrian activities now extended to riverfront – extend pedestrian sidewalk linkages from Hanson St. and Lambert St. to
the new Riverfront Trail
• The VRC is more closely connected to waterfront – reconfigure or refit service mains to accommodate new facilities
• Replace some First Avenue street parking with new parking elsewhere in the Riverfront Concept area, and provide YTG
with approximately 30 private parking spaces
• Protect Hanson Street stormwater river outfall during design and construction
• Modify or protect water, sanitary and storm services to accommodate improvements and provide irrigation and fire
protection service where needed
Heritage/Cultural • Create pedestrian plaza and public activity area between MacBride museum and White Pass depot. New riverfront trail
Precinct could require special finishing standards and details to accommodate the heritage/historic theme of the White Pass Plaza
development.
• Create new parking nodes bounding museum and fire hall building
• Construct riverfront public wharf at the end of Main Street
• Construct viewing tower overlooking the Yukon River as part of the White Pass Plaza development
Hotel/Community • Servicing and infrastructure to serve hotel/convention, commercial and residential development
Precinct Area • Extend new water, sanitary and storm mains northward from First Avenue/Strickland and west to Ogilvie/Second
• Protect existing river crossing of watermain between Wood and Jarvis Streets within development area
• Retain and protect existing stormwater pump station at Strickland alongside the river
• Upgrade existing stormwater pump station at Ogilvie alongside the river
• Relocate Yukon Electric substation to west side of First Avenue (consider underground cables to river)
Proposed Shipyards • New parking lot(s) with access provided from Second Avenue and Ogilvie. Reconfigure intersection
Park Area • Construct new boat launch with boat trailer parking and maneuvering room at foot of Ogilvie
• Encapsulate or dispose contaminated soils located on Shipyards Park lands
• Sanitary pump station: above ground removals, site reconfiguration for maintenance purposes, blend site into park finishing
• Evaluate and upgrade bridge for safe pedestrian access to Kishwoot Island
• Irrigation servicing of Shipyards Park and possibly servicing of a park/rail facility building
accommodate First Avenue laning and parking improvements in Rotary Park parking area in Rotary Park
changes • Improve boat launch access • Relocate Yukon Electric
• New traffic signage on First Avenue road in Rotary Park substation within
• New parking lots along First Avenue to partially • Protect water and sewer Hotel/Community Precinct Area
replace the lost on-street parking on First Ave. mains in First Avenue • Sanitary pump station site
• New water and sewer mains through alongside the Park improvements in Shipyards
Hotel/Community Precinct Area to serve developments Park area
proposed residential and commercial • Proportional upgrade of • Encapsulate or dispose of
developments Ogilvie Street stormwater contaminated soils in Shipyards
• New parking lots at Shipyards Park with access pumping station to Park area
to/from Second Ave. and Ogilvie accommodate increased • Evaluate and upgrade
• New boat launch with trailer parking at Shipyards runoff from Hotel/ Community pedestrian bridge to Kishwoot
Park Precinct area Island
• Water and sewer servicing to facilities building in
Rotary Park; and Shipyards Park
• Add fire hydrant(s) near VRC to protect park
buildings if necessary
• Construct new tee intersection on Second Ave.
between Black and Ogilvie
• Utility services for rail stop building
• Water and sewer servicing to facilities building in
Rotary Park (shortest)
• Construct new signalized intersection at Ogilvie
and Second Ave.
• New facilities and features for Riverfront Concept
CONCEPTUAL ** $3,9000,000 $270,000 * $520,000
COSTS
Notes: * Does not include substation relocation
** See Section 5.3 for Hotel/Community specific infrastructure costs
Costs related to offsite services proposed for this area (Hotel/Community Precinct) are summarized in the accompanying
table. The data is based on the following assumptions:
• Unit prices are based on David Nairne and Associates (DNA) report. DNA costs were based on the Phase III Re-
development Project and are in 1996 dollars. These have been checked against 1999 costs and were found to be
generally appropriate for current conceptual costing purposes.
• First Avenue and Ogilvie Street assumed to be 14.0m Urban Major Collector roads as per City of Whitehorse
Servicing standard.
• Ogilvie Storm Lift Station upgrade cost is based on the percentage of the Hotel/Community Precinct development
within the total drainage basin contributing to the Ogilvie Lift Station. The total area that drains to the lift station is
53 ha. DNA report indicates that the drainage basin boundary divides the Hotel/Community precinct property such
that about 4.5 ha (in the north side) will drain to the Ogilvie lift station. The total cost of upgrade is $427,300. This
amount includes the storm sewer upgrade (along Ogilvie between 2nd and 1st Ave.) proposed by DNA. The cost
relevant to the project area is $45,500, or 8.5% of the total upgrade cost including engineering and contingencies.
• An Engineering and Contingency allowance of 25% has been included in each item and GST is not included.
• The estimated costs are for all roads and services up to the property line with the exception of Black Street. Cost
estimate includes all services and road construction of the whole length of the proposed Black Street extension
within the property.
• No major offsite system upgrades are needed for the water and sanitary sewer systems in order to service the
Hotel/Community Precinct.
Construction of 3 metre walkway between Rotary Park and fire hall, October 1999